Purplebricks plans to double its employed estate agent workforce over the next six months as it responds to what it says is increasing demand from sellers.
Kenny Bruce, Executive Director of TAUK, revealed the recruitment drive as Purplebricks seeks agents across the UK under its work-from-home model.
The expansion will focus on employed agents responsible primarily for winning instructions, listing properties and looking after sellers rather than generating revenue from additional products.
It marks another stage in the reshaping of Purplebricks following the return of founder Michael Bruce to the business earlier this year.
AGENT EXPANSION
Kenny Bruce says thousands of sellers are exploring Purplebricks when considering a move, with the business seeing increasing customer demand.
In a LinkedIn post, he says: “Purplebricks is looking to double its employed agent workforce over the next six months.”
The roles will be home-based and employed, with agents working alongside dedicated Customer Assistants.
Purplebricks currently operates without a traditional branch network and says it has hundreds of agents based across England, Scotland and Wales.
‘JUST FOCUS ON BEING AN ESTATE AGENT’
Bruce also sets out a deliberate distinction between the roles being recruited for and estate agency models where agents are expected to generate additional income through referrals.
He says: “No legal referral targets. No mortgage referral targets. No energy targets. No wills targets.
“No endless list of other products you’re expected to sell and no Area Manager.
“Just focus on being an estate agent.”
Purplebricks does offer or recommend a range of additional services, including mortgages and conveyancing, and its published referral information says employees can receive commission for some referrals. However, Bruce’s post makes clear that agents recruited under the model will not have referral targets.
GROWTH MODE
Bruce has previously said that creating what he describes as the “best employed role in estate agency” was one of the changes he wanted to see following his return to involvement with Purplebricks.
He has also highlighted dedicated sales progression and customer support as central to the revised operating model.
The recruitment drive comes as Purplebricks continues its latest turnaround under the ownership of Sir Charles Dunstone’s Freston Ventures.
Bruce says: “We’re recruiting across the UK because the business is growing and we have increasing customer demand to support.”
